Our first stop was Jekyll Island, off the coast of Georgia. The island was developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for private vacation homes of wealthy American businessmen and was evacuated during World War II by order of the US government. In 1947 the state of Georgia acquired all the property, for security and preservation.
We weren't prepared for how absolutely scenic the island is. Huge live oaks dominate the island, and line the streets, arching over them. Dripping with spanish moss, they give the island a lovely "southern country" feel. If you didn't know it, you might not think that this is an island off the Atlantic coast. Even though Jekyll is a state park, because of its unique origins, there are private homes here, most of which are located on the island's interior. From a conversation with a few of the island residents, we learned that all the land is leased from the state.
We were surprised to discover that the beaches were quite muddy. The water at the southern end of the island (Glory Beach) was cloudy with sand. And the beach at Great Dunes was fouled with what looked like dirt. When we emerged from the water there, our lower legs were covered in dark brown crud. Yuk!
The bike paths that circle and criss-cross the island look like a great way to explore when the weather is cooler.
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